The theme behind this extract is “Asserting yourself, even when you feel inferior, is the only way to get what you want”. This is constructed through a number of different camera angles, movements, shots, editing techniques, and sounds; as we follow a king and his subject asking for a loan at a bank. When the bank denies their loan the subject stands up for his king and his kingdom and explains why despite their beliefs, they are worthy of a loan.
In the opening scene, a sound bridge builds throughout the scene. The music gets louder as the boat reaches its destination. This builds a sense of anticipation and suspense in the scene that is retained throughout the extract . This sets the tone for the entire extract until it is challenged by the subject- Sir Davos- when he reprimands the loan officer in the next scene. This action wouldn’t be as powerful when conveying the message if the tone, as established by the sound bridge, hadn’t shifted from one of suspense to one of determination. The camera also zooms out as the boat reaches its destination, which the audience learns is a city. The camera zooms out on this big city and provides an explanation for the intimidated look we saw on the king and his subject’s faces. The emotion that is conveyed shows the audience that they are afraid but are determined to accomplish their goal, despite any intimidation inspired by the scale of the city and the statue shown.
In another scene we see the inside of a bank and three men, who appear to be bankers or loan officers, who enter the room where the two men are waiting to sit at the table. The setting of the bank is shown as fancy, which further contributes to the idea of the city and banks’ wealth, and in turn allows the audience to begin making inferences as to what the king’s goal there is. . The floors are emerald and there are tall windows that allow natural light to flow in. This helps convey the theme by creating a threatening mood. It is unnerving to see the king and his subject wait in a big regal bank, as it puts his lack of control over the situation in stark contrast to how a king should feel. When the three loan officers take a seat at the other side of the table, their chairs are higher, gold in color, and have a tall back; in comparison to the king and his subjects' stools. The props of the chairs convey the meaning of the extract by relating the chairs they are sitting on to their relationship and power in the interaction. The chairs represent that the loan officers have control and are above the king and his subject asking for a loan.
In the following scene the loan officers, the king, and his subject are having a conversation. The low angle used while the loan officers are speaking establishes a sense of dominance, with the bank being ‘above’ the king. A shot-reverse-shot is also used to go back and forth throughout this conversation, showing the two characters’ reactions and attitudes throughout the conversation. This allows the audience to see how the conversation played out more clearly and see who's in charge of who, and whether the party in control shifts through the conversation.
In the final scene the king and his subject are denied a loan and the subject stands up and asserts himself, providing a sound argument in his king’s favor, and therefore why the loan officer is wrong. The dialogue is essential in this scene in order to convey the theme of this extract. The dialogue where the man stands up is important because he is standing up for himself in order to achieve his and the king's goal which is what this extract is all about. Action-match is also used when the king’s subject points. This is important because not only does it finish the action of him pointing but it emphasizes his argument and determination. Pointing shows confidence and aggression. This action represents overcoming feelings of inferiority in order to accomplish a greater objective.
In this extract most of the camera angles, movements, shots, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene of this film contributed to creating a tone and theme. The tone was intimidating, threatening, suspenseful, and daunting. While everything in the film leads the audience to believe that the king and his subject are inferior to the loan officers, the entire extract shifts when the king’s subject stands up and advocates for their desire despite the dismissal of the loan officers. In this moment the empowering dialogue shifts the mood and reveals the true meaning of the extract. That asserting yourself, even when you feel inferior, is the only way to get what you want.
